LGBTQ Owned Beauty Brands You Should Know

Since June is Pride Month, I’m thrilled to highlight some incredible LGBTQ owned beauty brands on my blog! However, these amazing indie brands deserve your support year-round, not just in June. They are worthy of a permanent spot in your makeup bag.

Pride Month is about much more than just posting a rainbow gif or sticker on your social media. It’s about supporting a crucial human rights cause. While sharing your favorite rainbow is great, it’s important to go beyond that. Use your voice, your privilege, and your platform to bring more attention to the LGBTQ community.

I’m not usually an advocate for buying a lot of makeup—in fact, I even did a podcast episode and blog post about capsule makeup bags—but if you’re running low on anything, this is a perfect opportunity to try out products from smaller brands. You’ll likely be pleasantly surprised by the quality. Big brands may have extensive advertising budgets, but that doesn’t necessarily mean their products are superior.

LGBTQ Owned Beauty Brands to Know and Support

1. Patrick Ta Beauty

The first of the LGBTQ owned beauty brands I wanted to mention is Patrick Ta Beauty.

Patrick Ta, a prominent makeup artist and member of the queer community, attributes his drive to his parents’ journey as Vietnamese immigrants, which instilled in him the value of hard work and determination. Starting his career in Los Angeles, his artistry quickly attracted major celebrities like Gigi and Bella Hadid, Shay Mitchell, Adriana Lima, and Jennifer Lopez.

Patrick’s belief that everyone deserves to feel confident and beautiful led to him launching Patrick Ta Beauty in 2019. His brand is all about offering innovative products designed to enhance natural beauty. You’ve seen his products in Sephora and all over TikTok; most notably his Major Headlines Double-Take Creme & Powder Blush Duo.

Guided by his parents’ resilience, Patrick is dedicated to making a lasting impact in the beauty industry.

Image: Patrick Ta

2. NOTO Botanics

NOTO is a minimalist brand founded by Gloria Noto, who is the editor and founder of queer art-focused THE WORK MAGAZINE.

At NOTO, her goal is to provide gender-fluid products that everyone can use. This result is achieved by producing gender-neutral fragrances, challenging social constructs and smell biases with a delicate balancing act.

One of the things I like the most about NOTO (apart from their products and message) is that they give 100% of the profits of one of their products — the Agender Oil — to organizations that focus on LGBTQIA+, environmental, and civil causes. That’s called putting your money where your mouth is! I’d love to see more of this in the beauty industry.

Image: Noto Botanics

3. W3ll People

W3ll People has become a household name — you might have even picked up a few of their products at Target for your everyday makeup collection!

Founded by talented lesbian makeup artist Shirley Pinkson, whose expertise has been honed through prestigious roles at Barney’s New York, M.A.C., and Nars, this brand is synonymous with quality.

Shirley’s innovative approach shines through in W3ll People’s hybrid products, which offer both cosmetic excellence and skincare benefits, making them a standout choice. What sets W3ll People apart is its commitment to being entirely plant-based, and free from harmful chemicals and preservatives. It’s a brand that not only delivers exceptional beauty but also aligns with conscientious values!

Image: W3ll People

4. Fluide

Founded by queer co-founder Isabella Giancarlo and CEO Laura Kraber, Fluide is a beauty brand that celebrates diversity and inclusivity. What sets Fluide apart is its homage to the LGBTQ+ community, with several products named after famous queer parties and venues from around the world—a testament to its roots and values.

If you’re looking to experiment with bold makeup looks, Fluide is the perfect choice, especially with their stunning range of glitters. Their lineup is not only colorful and exciting but also cruelty-free and formulated for all genders and skin tones. Whether you’re after lipsticks, glitters, or nail polishes, Fluide has you covered. As an added bonus, they often support special campaigns during Pride Month, making them a brand that not only enhances your beauty but also supports a meaningful cause.

Image: Fluide

5. ONE / SIZE

ONE / SIZE is a beauty brand for “all the curvy women, skinny boys, drag queens, thick guys, girly girls, beauties with disabilities, gender nonconforming icons, runway models, and makeup lovers.”

Founded by makeup artist and YouTuber Patrick Starrr in 2020, ONE / SIZE is a brand that champions inclusivity and self-expression. Patrick Starrr’s vision for the brand is to create high-quality, versatile products that empower individuals to express their true selves.

ONE/SIZE offers a range of products from complexion essentials to bold eye and lip colors. They create everyday essentials that are multi-use, layer-able, intensely pigmented, and have a wide shade range. With its tagline “Makeup is a one size that fits all,” the brand underscores its commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and the celebration of individuality.

Image: ONE / SIZE

6. OLE HENRIKSON

You’ve likely seen Ole Henriksen products at Sephora, Ulta, and all your favorite department stores. They are a BIG name in the skincare game. The brand was founded by Danish cosmetician Ole Henriksen in 1975 when he opened his first spa. In 1983, he launched his first product, Ole Glow.

Known for its innovative and effective skincare solutions, the brand combines powerful natural ingredients with cutting-edge technology to deliver radiant, healthy-looking skin. Ole Henriksen himself, a celebrated figure in the beauty industry, is openly part of the queer community. His journey and authentic representation have inspired many, and his personal experiences have shaped the inclusive and empowering ethos of the brand. Through Ole Henriksen, the brand emphasizes the importance of self-care and confidence, making high-quality skincare accessible to all.

Image: Ole Henriksen

7. Alder New York

Alder New York is a queer and woman-owned independent skincare line created by Nina Zilka and David Krause. They started their collaborative design partnership over a decade ago in NYC. In 2016, they brought their thoughtful approach to an industry often dominated by fleeting trends and launched Alder New York, a clean, vegan skincare line.

They focus on creating products designed to work for all skin types, ages, genders, and ethnicities. The packaging is beautiful and their products are all third-party vetted by the Environmental Working Group to ensure they are safe for both you and the planet.

Image: Alder New York

8. Non Gender Specific

In 2018, Andrew Glass, an expert beauty industry professional, realized there’s a gap between men’s and women’s beauty products. He created Non Gender Specific to close that gap and provide good products to good people who wanted them. Andrew’s brand suits “all humans” who want a simpler and more effective skincare routine.

If you don’t get it from the brand name, this company is all about removing the gender gap in skincare. In their own words, “Non Gender Specific is a revolutionary skincare brand that defies conventional norms and embraces the concept of inclusivity and sustainability.”

Image: Non Gender Specific

9. Volition Beauty

Volition Beauty is not just an LGBTQ-owned beauty brand, it’s also the first fully crowdsourced beauty brand out there. 

This brand founded in 2016 empowers female entrepreneurs with innovative beauty ideas who may face challenges getting their concepts off the ground or struggling to pitch to predominantly male-led business or investment groups.

So how does it work? Anyone can submit their beauty ideas on their website and fans vote on which products should “come to life.” Once that happens, you’re able to shop the products once they’re produced. Pretty cool, right? Click here to see the current active campaigns!

Image: Volition

10. Freck Beauty

Freck Beauty, founded by Remi Brixton, is a unique and innovative makeup brand that has made a significant impact in the beauty industry in a short amount of time. Remi, who identifies as bisexual, created Freck Beauty with the vision of celebrating individuality and self-expression.

The brand is best known for its original product, Freck OG, which creates natural-looking freckles and has a massive cult following.

Freck Beauty stands out for its commitment to clean, vegan, and cruelty-free products, ensuring that beauty enthusiasts can feel good about what they’re putting on their skin. With its playful and inclusive approach, Freck Beauty encourages everyone to embrace their authentic selves and celebrate their unique beauty.

Image: Freck Beauty

BONUS: Peace Out

I couldn’t end this blog post without mentioning one of the most viral skincare brands, Peace Out Skincare. You’ve seen these adorable pimple patches everywhere (I know I have) and you’ve probably even tried them before!

Founded by Enrico Frezza, Peace Out aims to empower individuals to achieve clear, healthy skin with innovative products that combine cutting-edge science and high-quality ingredients.

The brand’s signature product, Peace Out Acne Healing Dots, revolutionized acne treatment with their unique hydrocolloid technology infused with active ingredients like salicylic acid and vitamin A. These convenient, blemish-busting patches quickly gained a loyal following for their ability to reduce the appearance of pimples overnight.

Peace Out extends its innovative approach to other skincare challenges with products like Peace Out Pores, Peace Out Dark Spots, and Peace Out Wrinkles. Each product thoughtfully targets specific issues, offers visible results, and promotes overall skin health.

Enrico Frezza is very outspoken about his brand’s role in the queer community. “When I started Peace Out, I knew that I needed to create a space for all LGBTQIA+ to feel safe, skin positive, inclusive and understood. Peace Out, above all, is an open-arms brand––we are made for everyone, welcome everyone and support everyone.”

Image: Peace Out

I hope you enjoyed this list of LGBTQ-owned beauty brands and discovered a few new favorites to add to your collection! Supporting these brands goes beyond just purchasing makeup; it’s about recognizing and celebrating the diversity and creativity within the beauty community.

I truly believe that makeup is for everyone, a mantra I live by and share often. Inclusivity is not just a buzzword, but a fundamental principle that enriches the beauty world.

The best part? By choosing to support LGBTQ-owned brands, you’re not only getting fantastic, high-quality products. You’re also standing with a community that values acceptance, representation, and equality. Let’s continue to embrace and uplift each other and make the beauty industry a place where everyone can feel seen, heard, and beautiful.

Be Your Own Makeup Artist

If inclusivity is also something that’s important to you, I encourage you to check out my book, Be Your Own Makeup Artist. This gorgeous 100+ page, full-color magazine-style book is written in gender-neutral, multigenerational, inclusive, and easy-to-read language! Gift yourself or a loved one a copy and learn all about the fundamentals of makeup. Discover why and how makeup unlocks the untapped outer confidence living within you!